UPDATE: Helicopter over southwest West Seattle; police in Upper Fauntleroy

6:34 AM: Thanks for the tips. A helicopter’s been over Gatewood/Fauntleroy a while, but not showing on radar. A reader who heard what sounded like a flashbang said 911 told them there’s a warrant service in the vicinity. We’re working to find out more.

6:41 AM: Multiple texters say they’re seeing police on the ground at a location in Upper Fauntleroy.

7:29 AM: Multiple readers report the location is on 38th SW between Trenton and Henderson. We went through a short time ago and noticed SPD and WSP vehicles still in the vicinity, at the Trenton end.

9:26 AM: SPD’s media office says it has no information on the operation, at least so far. We’re trying other agencies too, and will update here if/when we find out anything.

Lisa February 11, 2025 (6:39 am)

I heard 2 loud bangs around 6:03 and then another one about 3 minutes later. In north arbor heights coming from the north.

Linds February 11, 2025 (6:43 am)

Also heard two loud bangs at about 6 am. Located in arbor heights. Helicopter circling since then and maybe earlier. Seems to have left just now at 6:40.

Amy Morgan February 11, 2025 (6:45 am)

It was 8816 38 th ave SW. I live down the street. Cop cars and 2 SWAT vehicles. Kept saying “come out with your hands up we have a search warrant “. Everyone is gone now

Neighbor February 11, 2025 (7:22 am)

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That house has been a rental for the last several months. The owner was tired of the construction next door. Or perhaps the previous residents were also tenants?

DRW February 11, 2025 (6:46 am)

Glad to hear it was a helicopter. I thought I was hearing another loud generator coming from the RVs at 18th and Henderson.

Bender February 11, 2025 (6:48 am)

What about car sized drone south delridge for least hour?

Gg February 11, 2025 (6:58 am)

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How did it look? Could you see it or just its lights in the dark?
- Bender February 11, 2025 (7:26 am)
  
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  It seemed to be square in shape doing same pattern over & over.

Neighbor February 11, 2025 (6:57 am)

It was in the 8800 block of 38th. Police and two swat vans three loud explosions (flash or tear gas?) They walked one person out and to a trouper car and have cleared out of the area.

Nick February 11, 2025 (6:59 am)

I was enjoying my morning coffee when I heard a loud bang and police speaking over a megaphone. Took a peek outside (I live on 39th) and saw a helicopter flying directly over a house right up the hill on 38th Avenue and Henderson. I heard at least two more bangs and the police repeating something about having a warrant and demanding that someone step outside the house with their hands above their head. I had to leave for work but there were about 8-10 of what looked like SWAT vehicles in front of a house on the east side of the road. One vehicle with two officers in gear was on Henderson.

Nick February 11, 2025 (7:23 am)

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Realizing 8-10 vehicles is probably an exaggeration. That’s what it looked like in the dark.

Grilled Cheese February 11, 2025 (7:19 am)

I could here the chopper from 35th and Holdon. It woke me from my peacful sleep. I wonder who was in trouble. Must have been a bad dude. More info would be nice.

Lola February 11, 2025 (7:36 am)

We live over on 50th & Alaska and we could hear and see the helicopter this morning. I knew to ck. the Blog for what might be up. I wonder why they needed a helicopter to serve a warrant? Or did they think they might run?

k February 11, 2025 (7:49 am)

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Helicopter could be news, not police.
- WSB February 11, 2025 (9:20 am)
  
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  No, it wasn’t the TV chopper – they always show on tracker, and the one shared chopper that’s left in this market is generally not up at that hour. Guardian One wasn’t in service when I went off watch at 2:30 am – they’d asked in relation to a different precinct – but there are other possibilities …

Neighbor February 11, 2025 (8:30 am)

Does anyone know how to look up what the warrant was about?

Bill February 11, 2025 (9:04 am)

Is anyone sure it was 8816 38th? I have walked (my dogs) on that block for years and the occupants at that address are (were?) a young couple with a young daughter….she would say “hi” while we were walking by. They put a lot of money into that house so I know they aren’t renters. She even related that they were okay with the construction next door as “they had been through it before”. On the other side of the construction, though, at 8830 38th Ave SW, I’ve never seen anyone in regard to that house’s occupants.

Neighbor February 11, 2025 (9:26 am)

Bill-That family moved out about a year ago when the construction started and a renter was living there. The police were definitely at that house walking someone out this morning.